Construction Materials Guide: Weights and Coverage
Use this construction materials guide to compare weights, coverage, common types, and quantity requirements for 12 popular products. Measure your project, choose the right material, and use the free calculators to convert dimensions into cubic yards, tons, bags, gallons, or square feet before ordering.
This library covers the 12 materials builders and homeowners order most: gravel, sand, concrete, mulch, topsoil, asphalt, crushed stone, pea gravel, dirt, limestone, sod and paint. Each guide gives weight per cubic yard, density, coverage depth, product types and the calculator that converts your dimensions into yards, tons or bags.
Gravel
How much gravel you need, what a cubic yard weighs, and which type fits your project.
Sand
Choose the right sand for pavers, mortar, or bedding and estimate the load accurately.
Concrete
Learn how many cubic yards you need, which PSI rating to specify, and how to order the right concrete mix.
Mulch
Pick the right mulch for beds, trees, or playgrounds and order the right number of yards.
Topsoil
Screened, blended, or fill—learn how to specify and order the right topsoil.
Asphalt
Weight
Crushed Stone
Crushed stone sizes suit different applications: #57 stone is commonly used for drainage, concrete, and paver bases; #8 stone works for fine paver bedding, chip seal, and decorative applications; and ¾″ minus, also called crusher run, compacts into a hard driveway base.
Pea Gravel
Pea gravel is smooth, rounded ⅜″ stone commonly used for patios, paths, play areas, dog runs, and drainage. One cubic yard weighs about 2,700–2,800 lb and covers approximately 100 sq ft at a 3″ depth. For walkable surfaces, use a 2–3″ layer and edging to keep the gravel contained.
Fill Dirt
Fill dirt is unscreened subsoil used as structural fill for grading, foundations, driveways, and low-spot repair. It weighs approximately 2,000–2,700 lb per cubic yard and compacts by about 10–15%. For stable results, compact it in 6–8-inch lifts and never build over uncompacted fill.
Limestone
Crushed limestone for base, drainage, and agricultural use.
Sod
Sod is sold by the square foot, piece, or pallet, with one pallet typically covering 400–500 sq ft. Order 5–10% extra for cuts and waste. For successful sod installation, choose a species suited to your climate, prepare the soil thoroughly, lay the sod within 24 hours, and water it immediately.
Paint
Learn how many gallons of paint you need and how to choose the right finish.
How much material do I need for my project?
Measure length, width and depth, convert depth to feet, multiply the three and divide by 27 for cubic yards. Then add 5–10% for compaction and spillage. The material calculators do that math for you and convert yards to tons or bags per material.
Which material should I use for a driveway, patio or bed?
Driveways use crushed stone base with a gravel or asphalt surface; patios use a compacted stone base with bedding sand under pavers; planting beds use topsoil with mulch on top. Open the individual guide for depths, and read the estimating guides for worked cost examples.
Tools for Measuring and Moving Materials
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Recommended Products for Your Project
These practical products can help you measure, prepare, and complete common construction and landscaping projects.
Scotts Elite Spreader
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Quikrete Concrete Mix
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Krylon COLORmaxx Spray Paint
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